Norma "Sue" Scheiblich Pothast - Kirkpatrick

Born February 20, 1940 Norma “Sue” was the third child (Elizabeth Ann 1935-1937, Herman “Edward” 1938-2023) born to Marlin TX grocery store owner Herman Edward Scheilblich and his wife Norma Wren (Mehan). Sue grew up in Marlin with her lifelong close group of friends, relatives and neighbors leading a charming life that included monkeys for pets and a pony named Dallas.

Sue went on to study Home Economics at the University of Texas graduating in 1962. After a summer of travel abroad, she packed up and headed to New York City to embark in a career in the NYC fashion district, working for several noteworthy companies. Sue loved her time exploring the city on her own terms, learning to take care of herself and exploring. Once infamously having to choose between buying toothpaste and re-soleing her shoes. She taught herself that baking soda works just fine as a toothpaste substitute.

Sue joined her roommate on a double date with two psychologists from northern Iowa that were in town for a conference, thus meeting her future spouse, Dr. Miles D. Pothast. After a night listening to jazz they began their long distance courtship, Sue and Miles married in 1965 and Sue moved to Ventura Iowa to live with Miles and his teenage son Kirby. Sue began teaching home economics at Mason City High School where she again made friendships that lasted her entire life.

Sue and Miles traveled extensively attending psychology conferences all over the world. Sue was most content in her home and beside any body of water where Miles would be off fishing. Sue enjoyed knitting, sewing, baking, cooking and taking care of her loved ones. After retirement Sue and Miles moved to Iowa City where Sue became involved in the local garden and knitting groups. In 1995 Miles passed and Sue once again embarked on a life on her own terms.

A high school reunion in Marlin Texas reconnected her with an old friend from high school. In 2000 Sue returned to Texas purchasing a home in College Station and marrying Lt. Colonel Donovan Kirkpatrick. Once again Sue made herself a home and surrounded herself with an incredible group of neighbors, friends and family. She spent countless hours in her backyard garden oasis growing, tending, and nurturing her plants. And was most often spotted in the front yard pulling weeds.

Sue leaves behind a legacy of lifelong friendships, loving deeply for others, and giving selflessly. She would remind us all - “onward”.

Sue was welcomed into the “never-never” by her parents, siblings, numerous beloved aunts and uncles, far too many treasured friends, her most beloved grandson-in-law Scott Witt and her late husband Dr. Miles Pothast.

Left behind to miss her earth side is her husband Lt. Colonel Donovan Kirkpatrick, his two daughters Kara Kenny (John) and Katherine Stone (James) and grandchildren, Kristin Kenny (Reno Morris) and Matthew (Sierra Kenny). As well as her son, Kirby (Sherri) Pothast, his children Mathew Reese, Brandi Witt (David Lukas) and Justin (Kara) Pothast and her treasured great grandchildren Katherine, Madison, Miles and Ethan and her two beloved nephews Paul and Heath Scheiblich. Grieving with the family is a small but deeply loved group of friends that were such an important part of her life.

Sue asked for no formal services to be held, choosing to always remain active and vibrant in the hearts and minds she treasured most. You can best honor her memory and legacy by reaching out to your friends and loved ones and listening to their stories with a heart full of love, grace and encouragement. That’s what Sue did for all who knew her and that is how we carry her memory “onward”.

In lieu of flowers or gifts of sympathy Sue and her family request donations for Hospice Brazos Valley who made the last weeks of Sue’s life peaceful and supported. They can be found at HospiceBV.org.